January 2004
WALKER (65) IN FALL ORDEAL - A walker stranded on a Lakeland fell overnight on New Year's Eve suffered leg injuries the following morning when he slipped and fell 30ft. The 65-year-old, from Rochdale, set out walking at St. Sunday Crag had to shelter on the fell after bad weather overtook him. He began his descent next morning but slipped and tumbled over a crag, falling 30ft. He lay for half an hour but was able to attract the attention of two passing walkers, who raised the alarm. Members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team attended and, after administering first aid to the man at the scene, carried him by stretcher off the fell. Suffering from leg, chest and head injuries and mild hypothermia, he was transported to the Cumberland Infirmary.
MORE WATER FROM LAKES - The Environment Agency has announced its decision to grant three drought permits to United Utilities Water, allowing it to pump more water from Windermere and Ullswater to protect public supplies. The decision follows a two-day public hearing at Windermere, chaired by an independent inspector. The permits - two at Ullswater and one at Windermere - will allow water to be pumped from the lakes to maintain stocks in the company's Haweswater and Thirlmere reservoirs. They suspend existing annual limits on the amount of water which can be taken from the two lakes. They also allow for water to be pumped in dry conditions, as long as there are adequate water flows in the rivers Eamont and Leven. Additional measures are included in the drought permits to protect wildlife, especially salmon.
CASH BOOST FOR RURAL BUS SERVICES - Cumbria County Council has secured a £500,000 cash injection for rural bus services. The council was successful in its £498,000 bid to the Government's Rural Bus Challenge, meaning that over the next three years services for bus users in the Cumbria Connexion corridor will be extended and enhanced. The money will support continuation of part of the X4/X5 evening services between Penrith and Workington, as well as the summer route between Keswick and Patterdale. Enhancements to other seasonal services in the Keswick area can continue, as can a demand-responsive service from Cockermouth to Buttermere.
September 2004
TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - Patterdale dog day provided a trip down memory lane for one Eden family in particular whose links with the event go back to its inception more than a century ago. In an unscheduled reunion, former dog day secretary John Allen, aged 82, who now lives at Stainton, was joined by his three sons, Peter, Richard and Michael, and his granddaughter, Heather, and her 15-month-old son.
October 2004
TOURISM FIRM STEAMS AHEAD - Ullswater Steamers won the title of best large visitor attraction in the North West tourism awards, beating off competition from attractions such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Tatton Park, Cheshire. The judges said the firm had demonstrated a number of innovative approaches to meeting visitor needs.
February 2005
LAST HURRAH FOR HUNTING - Thursday, 17th February, 2005, was declared the 'worst day for the fox population' by Mike Taylforth, chairman of the Ullswater Foxhounds at the last official meet. An air of depression hung over the crowd of hunt followers of all ages who gathered outside the White Lion Inn, Patterdale, to follow the pack up the fells, led by huntsman John Harrison. Although most followers had expected for some time to hear that hunting had been officially banned by the Government, they had lived in hope of a change of heart. 'I feel like I should be wearing a black tie,' said Mr. Taylforth, of Patterdale, as he waited for the huntsman to sound his horn and lead the pack and its followers up the fell.
March 2005
COMET THROWS LIGHT ON LOST COUPLE - A search dog named Comet showed a couple the light after they became lost in night-time mist on a Lakeland fell. The man, a student at St. Martin's College, Ambleside, and his girlfriend, from Manchester, became disorientated while in the Whiteside Bank area of Helvellyn on Tuesday evening. They were well equipped and had intended to spend the night on the fell but when weather conditions deteriorated they were unwilling to remain on the mountain. Members of Patterdale mountain rescue team were called to assist and the couple were finally located by search and rescue dog Comet. They were unhurt and were led safely to Greenside and then to the team's Ogilvie House base, at Patterdale.
April 2005
NEW 'LADY' OF THE LAKE - A new 'Lady' will be seen in the Lake District later this year as, after a long search, Ullswater Steamers has purchased a new vessel to join its existing fleet of historic passenger boats offering a year-round service on the lake. The boat, currently named Totnes Castle but which will be known as Lady Wakefield, is a 150-seat traditional heritage-style pleasure craft built by Philip and Son, of Dartmouth, in 1949. Originally named Golden Cormorant, she has recently been operating passenger cruises out of Plymouth and is registered in the National Register of Historic Vessels.
June 2005
BOY SEES DAD DIE ON FELLS - A boy watched in horror as his father collapsed and died as the pair were on a Lake District walk. John Floyd, aged 47, and his 10-year-old son set out to scale Helvellyn and intended to camp out overnight. However, as they reached Striding Edge during the evening Mr. Floyd collapsed. His son's cries for help were heard by walkers close to Red Tarn who rushed to his aid and raised the alarm. Some tried to resuscitate Mr. Floyd until members of Patterdale mountain rescue team arrived. However, despite further lengthy attempts to revive Mr. Floyd he was pronounced dead at the scene by a team doctor. Patterdale team leader Dave Freeborn said: "The poor lad was left there with his dad dying next to him.
It is an absolute tragedy."
August 2005
THREE NEW FIRE STATIONS FOR EDEN? - Penrith, Alston and Patterdale could get new fire stations as part of a £12 million investment in Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. The service is currently in the second stage of a process to gain approval for a Private Finance Initiative that would see new, purpose built fire stations in the three Eden locations and at Carlisle and Workington. Penrith fire station is a retained station that currently incorporates a countywide training facility. The replacement station would be smaller and would accommodate just the needs of the Penrith appliances and crew, and the training facility would be incorporated in a new development at Carlisle.The proposed new station in Alston would, besides providing improved operational and training facilities, provide for greater community use. The current fire station in Patterdale is relatively limited both for operational and training needs. The proposal to replace the station with a new building on the existing site would provide hugely improved facilities for personnel, training, equipment/appliances and community safety programs.
September 2006
GREEN LIGHT FOR LOCAL HOMES PLAN - A plan to build seven houses and two bungalows to help meet local needs in Glenridding was given the green light by planners. Eden Housing Association wants to build the properties on land adjoining Lake View, Glenridding, along with parking and road access. The Lake District National Park Authority received only one letter of objection from a neighbouring property owner concerned that the development would be harmful to the character of the village, cause a traffic hazard at the junction with Greenside Road, and would have an adverse effect on his property by the virtue of overlooking and loss of value. However, the parish council held an open meeting to discuss the development, at which there was general support.
November 2006
Letter to editor -
WAR MEMORIAL IN STUNNING LOCATION
Sir, Some years ago you kindly published a letter from me, criticising the condition of the war memorial on the shore of Ullswater between Patterdale and Glenridding.
Having attended the Remembrance Day service at the war memorial on Sunday, I wish to place on record my family’s thanks to all concerned over the improvements both to the memorial itself and also to the lakeside path which now passes through the ground surrounding the memorial, making the memorial more accessible.
The supporting stonework fronting the road, which was previously in poor condition is much improved and the metal fence, which is in keeping with area, is excellent.
I admit to being biased, having been born in Patterdale, but I do believe that the location of the war memorial on the lakeside is without comparison in the UK and perhaps throughout the world! Yours etc,
ROGER HADWIN
Macclesfield.
December 2006
WRECK FOUND IN ULLSWATER - The wreck of a large wooden boat, possibly dating from the early 20th Century, has been found submerged in Ullswater. Complete with bulkhead light fittings and portholes, the 30ft-40ft vessel was located lying upright in the murky depths of the lake by astonished professional diver Steve Carmichael-Timson. “I saw something out of the corner of my eye and using the spotlight I saw a row of portholes,” said Mr. Carmichael-Timson. “I thought ‘I am standing on a ship wreck, what is that doing there?’ It surprised the hell out of me. It is a complete mystery.” Based in Wales, the archaeologically-trained diver has been exploring Ullswater for around three years.
BOAT STAFFS’ ALL NIGHT VIGIL - Staff of the Ullswater Steamers Company kept a day and night vigil this week as rising lake levels threatened the safety of the boats. After an average month of December rainfall fell in one week, the lakeside road between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding was impassable for lengthy periods on Wednesday and Thursday and the level of Ullswater almost reached that of January, 2005, when there was major flooding. It meant that steamers company staff had to work in teams throughout Wednesday and Thursday nights to keep watch over the boats. “We were running out of things to tie boats to because the steamer pier here at Glenridding was virtually under water,” said manager and skipper Christian Grammer. The worst danger point came on Wednesday night, after an afternoon of rising lake levels which left both Howtown and Pooley Bridge piers under water and the one at Glenridding almost submerged. Three of the company’s boats were moored there, with the fourth on a nearby slipway. “They are safe as houses but when you do get these conditions they do need tending,” added Mr. Grammer. Yesterday lake levels were beginning to fall and he was hopeful of resuming sailings in coming days.
PLANS FOR NEW FIRE STATIONS - A public consultation is underway on plans to build a new generation of community fire stations in Cumbria, including new ones at Penrith and Patterdale. Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has already received preliminary backing from the Government to replace ageing stations in the north and west of the county through an £11 million private finance initiative (PFI). Members of the public will now get the chance to have their say on proposals to replace the flood-hit station at Rickergate in Carlisle with two new city sites and build new stations at Workington, Whitehaven, Penrith and Patterdale. All the new stations will include community rooms which will be available free of charge to local schools, clubs and neighbourhood groups who in return will receive a basic fire or road safety message.
April 2007
link to website Princess to commission lake’s new “lady” and Perfect day for a Princess to visit as regards new boat launched at Glenridding.
